Measuring Impact

Linking what you do, to what funders want

CWVYS has been working on an outcomes approach and has produced a series of proposals for the Welsh Government with the full support of Youth Work Alliance Wales.

The paper, Towards an outcomes and impact approach for the youth sector in Wales (copy available here) draws on the work and experience of a number of bodies including the Young Foundation.

It emphasises the need for an approach which takes into account the experience of voluntary youth organisations, is straightforward in operation and supports rather than detracts from their work.

Outcomes and the new National Youth Work Strategy for Wales

The new strategy includes the introduction of a National Outcomes Framework for youth work, providing a sound basis for accountability, benchmarking and results. So now is a good time to get better acquainted with the principles. A copy of the National Youth Work Strategy for Wales can be found here
CWVYS will continue to develop its work on outcomes and keep you updated with this area of development.

If we don’t measure

We can’t be sure what works

We can’t identify what doesn’t work

It is difficult to prove we are good at what we do

Money may be invested in the wrong things or not at all

Here are some tips on how youth work organisations can show how they make a difference to the lives of young people in a way the funders can understand and link to bigger social objectives.

Tips of good measurement

Action

Identify your goal – The goal/target must be clear, understood, realistic but ambitious, defined and succinct. It may have been identified by you or defined by the funder/commissioner

Example

Increase the number of young people continuing education

What needs to happen for this to be achieved? – Think of the last change that needs to happen before reaching the ultimate goal –what are the most immediate preconditions?

The young person needs to develop their capability in resilience, emotional intelligence, personal goal setting, increased self-belief to be successful in education

Aligning activities with outcomes – What do you do/need to do to achieve the outcomes set out? Which of your activities develop these capabilities?

What else is worth knowing?

How do we measure?

A wide variety of tools specifically designed for youth work can be found here Matrix and tools

How do we describe what we do?

The Young Foundation conducted extensive research to identify and describe the outcomes of youth work as 7 clusters of capabilities, and linked evidence of their impact on social outcomes. More, very useful information can be found here, or by request from CWVYS.

Capability Clusters example :

“communication – Research from the University of Sheffield suggests that good communication is essential for a successful transition to work or training, for independence and to access a range of life opportunities. Both the Rose Review and Bercow Report highlighted the role of communication in attainment, and forming positive relationships. Improved communication skills have also been linked to reductions in reoffending”

Similar evidence exists for the other clusters

confidence and agency

planning and problem solving

relationships and leadership

creativity

resilience and determination

managing feelings

More information is available to help to articulate how your work benefits young people, the community and society. If you would like to know more please see the list of resources below or contact CWVYS. We are also able to provide a workshop tailored to your organisation, its projects and plans.

Useful resources

Towards an outcomes and impact approach for the youth sector in Wales -Full document can be found here

RT @YouthLinkScot: 5⃣ Able to help and lead others
6⃣ Get on well with others
7⃣ Safe & well
Read the quotes in full & research on our webs… 39 minutes ago

RT @YouthLinkScot: Here are just some of the quotes from young people who took part in the research demonstrating the following impacts:
1⃣… 40 minutes ago

RT @YouthLinkScot: What did the research find was the impact of community-based universal youth work?
💪 Confidence
💼 Skills for life
💛 Equ… 40 minutes ago

About CWVYS

CWVYS (the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services) is the independent representative body for the voluntary youth work sector in Wales. The aims are to represent, support and give a collective voice to its membership of national and local organisations in their work with over 250,000 young people in Wales. CWVYS works in partnership with agencies promoting good youth work practice.